Your Reads - currently reading or finished (2020)

[Kristie, Moderator]

Savanes -

I never saw the Handmaid's Tale tv show, but it looks like it would be better than the book. I thought the book was just ok.

That pregnancy book looks interesting. I swear they change their recommendations every few years.

I felt the same about Beartown. I ended up really enjoying it. I think it was Backman's best book.

I hope you enjoy the Orphan X series. Binging them left me with a bit of a book hangover. I kept wanting to see Evan show up to save the kids while I was reading The Institute. lol

[Kristie, Moderator]

I just finished The Institute. I thought it was great. I knew the basics of how it was going to end based on certain things that happened or were said in the story, but King has such a great way of telling it. And I was glad that it wasn't something too far out there, as he can do sometimes.

I'm torn between starting The Picture of Dorian Gray for an online book club or The Paris Wife for my real life book club. I have them both from the library at the moment. I suppose I should start The Paris Wife since that's a real life discussion, but Dorian Gray appeals to me more at the moment. I generally enjoy historical fiction much more than classics, so that is a strange situation for me to be in.

[Vicki Willis]

Savanes wrote: "I just finished
- The Handmaid's Tale which was a required reading for a RL bookclub. I couldn't get into the writing style. It's one of those books where I find the TV show way way b..."

Are you expecting another baby Savanes?

[Nita]

I started The Turn of the Key but I found it completely unbelievable that an attorney would even read past the first page of an unsolicited letter from a stranger. I have a lot of experience in the legal field, and I just don't find this realistic or believable. Thus, as much as I love Ruth Ware--she is one of my favorite authors--I abandoned this book.

[Paula]

I tried listening to Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders, but the foul language just got to be tooo much! Did not finish.
I did finish listening to Killing Reagan by Bill O’Reilly. What a fascinating book! I would recommend this one. Very interesting about our past President and First Lady.

[Paula]

Read “Lean on Me” by Pat Simmons as part of a Big Read in Libby. A very good story of family with an alz/dementia loved one. Very good story of how family, friends, and God are so needed in such difficult times!

[Cori]

Currently reading Killman Creek. Just finished You Are Not Alone. You are not alone was slow building for me but once I hit Part 3 it made me want to devoured it. Killman Creek is the second book of Stillhouse Lake and I am enjoying it so far!

[Kristie, Moderator]

I've started The Paris Wife. So far, it's ok. I'm not loving it, but I'm not disliking it either.

[Thereadingbell]

I just finished reading Red, White & Royal Blue and now just started reading Lilac Girls. I did not like Red White and Royal Blue it is an ok book but I thought it to be boring. I do not understand the swoon of straight women how they love MM romance. I am trying to understand this. I think my dislike comes from that I am not interested in dickie do. I do not know to me the story was just boring until the last few chapters for me then it got interesting. It took me two months to read the book it never grabbed me and I began praying for me to some how slug through it. I finally finished it today.

[Vicki Willis]

I just finished I Found You on audible.
I usually like this author but this was was not as good. It was kind of boring. 3 stars, but I won't remember it in a week.

[Kristie, Moderator]

I'm currently reading The Paris Wife for a RL book club. It reads sort of like a memoir. I'm about halfway through and I'm kind of bored. It's not bad and I don't dislike it really, but it isn't exciting or even very interesting. I just find it kind of neutral. I could stop reading and forget about it at any time.

[Bonnie]

a Goodreads award nominee for fantasy in 2018. So far really enjoying it. Two very different POV characters, but both interesting and understandable.

[Savanes]

Vicki Willis wrote: "Savanes wrote: "I just finished
- The Handmaid's Tale which was a required reading for a RL bookclub. I couldn't get into the writing style. It's one of those books where I find the T..."

Hey just saw your comment. Yes I am, for august. :D

[Vicki Willis]

Savanes wrote: "Vicki Willis wrote: "Savanes wrote: "I just finished
- The Handmaid's Tale which was a required reading for a RL bookclub. I couldn't get into the writing style. It's one of those boo..."

Congrats!!!! <3

[Savanes]

Vicki Willis wrote: "Savanes wrote: "Vicki Willis wrote: "Savanes wrote: "I just finished
- The Handmaid's Tale which was a required reading for a RL bookclub. I couldn't get into the writing style. It's ..."

Thank you!

[Abhishek]

I read two books in past few days. One was All the Light We Cannot See. I was in a state of hangover after this for a couple of days. One rarely comes across a book which can fill you heart with grief and joy at the same time.
I think I would not have recovered for few more days, but I picked up Educated which was a brilliant read as well.
Is there any member who read either of these books recently?

[Carly]

I’m reading The Memory Painter. Interesting sci-fi read so far! I’m all about escapism at the moment.
My next book is either going to be Oryx & Crake (which I’ve read) or Slade House.

[Savanes]

Abhishek wrote: "I read two books in past few days. One was All the Light We Cannot See. I was in a state of hangover after this for a couple of days. One rarely comes across a book which can fill y..."

I read educated last year and really liked it too.

[Abhishek]

Savanes wrote: "Abhishek wrote: "I read two books in past few days. One was All the Light We Cannot See. I was in a state of hangover after this for a couple of days. One rarely comes across a book..."

Awesome! I think one of the main learnings was just how important it is for you to understand someone else's point of view, if you want to persuade them for your cause.

[Kristie, Moderator]

I finally finished The Forgotten Home Child. It was really good and should have taken a lot less time than it did because it kept my interest, but I've been in a bit of a slump. If you enjoy historical fiction based on true events, such as Orphan Train, then give it a try. It was really well done. my review

I am currently reading Unfollow Me (75%) and hope to finish today or tomorrow. The characters are interesting, but I wouldn't want to be friends with any of them. Recently, the story has taken some turns that I don't really love, but I'm curious to find out what happened to the missing vlogger.

I will also be starting Lethal Bayou Beauty, since I don't have any audios going at the moment. I think a humorous cozy should be the perfect read for me right now.

[Kristie, Moderator]

I also read Hair Love for the group read. It was worth picking up and experiencing. Very sweet story. One I would buy if I had a little girl.

[Deb]

I just finished two books on Audible with the exact same theme about the packhorse librarians of Kentucky, a WPA program, in the 1930s and 40s: The Bookwoman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson and The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes. I was shocked at the similarity of the story lines and have now read that there is a controversy about the coincidence. That said, I liked both books. They both had strong female lead characters and secondary characters. The first dealt had a main character who suffered prejudice because of an inherited condition that made her skin blue. While the story was fiction, the condition was real and afflicted a family line from the real Troublesome Creek, Kentucky. The second book involves a proper woman from England who marries a man from Kentucky to escape her controlling family. She has a rough adjustment to the Kentucky back country, but becomes friends with another woman from the area who is starting a horseback library route. Both books position the horseback library as salvation for the women who deliver the books as well as the poor back country folks who come to rely on the books. The stories do have diverging plot lines, so you can enjoy a different experience reading them both. For that reason, I rated them both five stars.

[Stephanie]

I'm currently engrossed in The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle. Very intriguing. Sort of a mix between an Agatha Christie novel mixed with a game of Clue with a bit of supernatural mixed in. Very entertaining. I was getting jaded recently with my book choices, but this one is bringing back my love for reading.

[Karen]

I'm reading Little Fires Everywhere. This book has lots of twists and turns which I love. The characters are well developed. You feel like you know them personally. The basic story is this woman and her daughter move into a rental house owned by a woman with a husband and four kids. The woman renting the apartment ends up working for the landlord. Her daughter becomes friends with the other woman's kids. I can't wait to finish the book so I can watch the show.

I'm also reading Goldfinch. The story is about a boy who is at museum with his mom when there's an explosion. The book seems like it goes back and forth in time from what I can see. I am enjoying it so far.

[Paula]

I have been reading some FUN cozy mysteries. Just completed Book 2 of the Water Witch series by Sam Short. Love it even with many typo errors.
The Water Witch is a boat that Penny used as her shop for selling “witchcraft and magic potions” up and down the canals. Penny is truly a witch, but does not make it known to outsiders. Her family are all witches. Her granny has witch dementia and has messed up several spells. The goose barks and acts like a watch dog for Penny. Granny accidentally turned her acupuncturist into a goat...but he loves it. Her sister, Willow, is learning spells. Her best friend, Susie, has known about her being a witch for a long time. Her new boyfriend, Barney the police officer, just found out about the family being witches.
I enjoy and laugh at all the fun and misadventures.

[Karen]

your review made me want to read this author. I bought the first book in the series.. I'll let you know how I like it. Thanks your review

[Jayme]

Stephanie wrote: "I'm currently engrossed in The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle. Very intriguing. Sort of a mix between an Agatha Christie novel mixed with a game of Clue with a bit of supernatural mixed in. Very..."

I read that last year and really liked it.

[Gunit Kaur]

Ninth House

I just finished reading Ninth House and I don't know how I should initiate my transition back into my ordinary magic-less world.

This is not just a book, it's a journey that takes you across a different world, an unimaginable world, a world full of magic (dark magic), violence, murder, ghosts (or should I say grays), secret societies and on and on and on. The world feels so real, that you want to believe that it's actually real, and if it is, that would be so scary, but so cool.

The world of Leigh Bardugo is a must visit. You wouldn't wanna let it go.

[Vicki Willis]

That is good to hear, Gunit. I just got the book on audible, but haven't started it yet. I need to finish my current one and then I will start.

[Savanes]

Gunit Kaur Kalada wrote: "Ninth House

I just finished reading Ninth House and I don't know how I should initiate my transition back into my ordinary magic-less world.

This is not just a book, it's a journe..."

I'm looking forward to this one.
I just finished the same kind of books. One that lingers in your head even after you're done. It's called Nevernight , I didn't expect to like it so much because I'm not into descriptive writing but I have to say this one was a great surprise. I can't stop thinking about the characters and the world.

Vicki Willis wrote: "That is good to hear, Gunit. I just got the book on audible, but haven't started it yet. I need to finish my current one and then I will start."

Can you let me know how it is on audio bearing in mind that English is not my mother tongue? So even though I speak well sometimes when there are too many characters or if the lnaguage is too complicated (which can happen in Fantasy), I get confused.

[Karen]

I'm reading All Adults Here by Emma Staub. I love this book. I started it on Wednesday and have read over half the book already. It's about a woman with three adult kids. One has chosen to have a baby on her own. One has a teenage daughter who got into trouble at school and is sent to go live with her grandmother. Another one has two unruly twin sons. I can't wait to see how it ends. I don't want it to because I feel like the characters have become friends of mine.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Karen wrote: "I don't want it to because I feel like the characters have become friends of mine."

I love when books feel like that. That is great character development.

[Gunit Kaur]

Savanes wrote: "Gunit Kaur Kalada wrote: "Ninth House

I just finished reading Ninth House and I don't know how I should initiate my transition back into my ordinary magic-less world.

This is not ..."

Nevernight is in my list too. I am gonna get to it soon.:)

[Jill]

I’m currently reading The Bookish Life of Nina Hill. I have to admit, after 50 pages in, I almost put it down. So glad I didn’t! Can’t wait to see what the rest of it brings!

[Kristie, Moderator]

Jill wrote: "I’m currently reading The Bookish Life of Nina Hill. I have to admit, after 50 pages in, I almost put it down. So glad I didn’t! Can’t wait to see what the rest of it brings!"

Good to know! This is one of our group reads for June. I plan to read it in a couple of weeks and I'll know to stick with it if I don't love it straight off.

[Pam]

I’m reading “unbroken”

[Julie]

I just read Cause to Kill by Blake Pierce. I LOVED IT. I just started A Trace to Kill by him.
Trying to find cheap used ones by him is impossible.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Just finished Great and Precious Things by Rebecca Yarros yesterday. I thought it was really good. The story was in my head when I wasn't reading.

I finished The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate today. Also, very good. Interesting Historical Fiction.

I am starting The New Husband and Little Creeping Things.

[Savanes]

I just finished two books that I really enjoyed:

- Nottingham by Nathan Makaryk. This is the story of Robin Hood with a twist. It took me a little while to get into it (too tired to read at night) but once I got into the story. Wow what a story! I didn't really like the last chapter and then the epilogue came and it left me with the feeling that it was brilliant (for an ending).

- The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind, Survive Everyday Parenting Struggles, and Help Your Family Thrive by Daniel J. Siegel. Very interesting take on kids' brains and the consequences on education.

[[deleted user]]

Just finished Renegades by Marissa Meyer. Loved it and will continue on with the second one tonight.

[CinnamonWolf]

I have recently finished Baba Dunja's Last Love and absolutely loved it! I have a soft spot for older characters and good women protagonists. Highly recommend it if you're feeling like having a short, heartwarming read. Beware of the blurb though, almost nothing in it is correct!

I'm currently about halfway through The Island of the Colorblind. While I really liked other writing by Oliver Sacks, I can't say the same for this book. The content is all over the place and his usual kindness and sharpness are lacking.

[Andrea]

I just finished American Dirt. I know there was some controversy about it and don't know how true to the immigrant experience it is, but it was very engaging and opened my eyes to the challenges that people might be facing. Started Where the Crawdads Sing and so far I'm enjoying it.

[Jayme]

I'm currently reading The Night Watchman and it is an interesting blend of biography and fiction. Louise Erdrich is a favorite author.

[Bubblegum Princess]

I'm currently reading House of Earth and Blood and before that I read T.J Klune's Ravensong

(Here's my review of it if you're interested: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... )

[Nicole]

I just finished The Silent Patient. Outstanding debut novel. Read it next!! Next up is The Vanishing Half.

[Kirsten]

Nicole wrote: "I just finished The Silent Patient. Outstanding debut novel. Read it next!! Next up is The Vanishing Half."

Me and my buddy read partner loved Silent Patient.

[Kristie, Moderator]

I'm currently reading All the Broken People. Early reviews were really positive, but I'm finding it just ok. I could put it aside now and forget about it. I'm hoping I become more invested soon.

I'm also reading The Beekeeper's Apprentice. It's pretty much what you would expect from a Sherlock Holmes type story. I was surprised in the beginning that there weren't any mysteries to solve. Now, it seems there will be a few different ones. I'm enjoying it well enough.

[Lesley]

Oh the libraries have reopened for curbside pickup and I'm now reading Daisy Jones & the Six! I'm so excited to receive the books that were sadly sitting on my hold shelf for months. I just finished Ali Wong's Dear Girls...This book was hilarious and reinforced what I already knew about Ali Wong. Also, currently reading Siddartha. I'm slowly working my way through PBS's "The Great American Read" and this made the list. We'll see how it goes. Happy reading everyone!

[Kristie, Moderator]

I'm currently reading The Girls with No Names, which is really good. It is a series of secrets and misunderstandings, most of which come from a place of wanting to help or protect others. I'm hoping to finish in the next day or two.

I also just started The Book of Lost Names. The beginning of the book grabbed me right away and I look forward to seeing where it goes.

[Bridget]

I'm currently reading Les Miserables, which is a bit of a slog, and The Two Towers, which I'm loving. I'm a huge LOTR fan and this is my first time reading the trilogy. It's very interesting seeing the differences from the movies. To finish up the month, I'm planning on reading Fight Club and The Return of the King. Just curious, I've never seen Fight Club, is it worth watching since I'm reading the book?

I'm currently doing the 100 best books challenge, I'm definitely not reading Les Miserable for fun.

Edit: I finished Fight Club and hated it. Would not recommend unless you like the movie.